New books to read this week

Fiction

When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzén is published in hardback by Doubleday

Bo’s life is narrowing. At 89, his days are punctuated by carers’ visits and increasingly difficult dog walks. His wife is in a nursing home, unable to recognise him, his once-strong body is failing and his ability to make even the smallest decision about his life is eroding. His son is even threatening to take his beloved Elkhound, Sixten, away from him. As the past blends increasingly with the present in Bo’s faltering memory, he’s assailed by recollections of his work, his marriage and his inadequate, sometimes cruel, father. In all his confusion and anger, can Bo rise to the challenge of making things right with his own son in the little time he has left? Sparely written, beautifully put together and very moving, the novel renders Bo’s predicament in a way that’s hugely absorbing. A deceptively simple book that packs a massive emotional punch. Highly recommended.

Consider Yourself Kissed by Jessica Stanley is published in hardback by Hutchinson Heinemann

An unusual love story, Consider Yourself Kisses starts with a (sort of) wife leaving her long-term partner – and that’s not a spoiler – it happens on the first page. It’s then you get the flashback meet-cute between Adam and Coralie. But this definitely isn’t a fairytale romance. It’s about the reality of the happy ever after and what it really takes to make a relationship work, especially when you’re the wicked stepmother. Set against a background of the turbulent politics of recent years, with the sharp focus of an outsider, Australian author Jessica Stanley also has the inside track on what it’s like to live in east London as a single woman building a career, then entering motherhood and realising it’s impossible to have it all – especially if you’ve had awful or complicated role models in your own life. If you like reading about the messy reality of relationships and family, with love in its many forms, this one’s definitely for you.

Parallel Lines by Edward St Aubyn is published in hardback by Jonathan Cape

The introduction to Parallel Lines is confusing, jagged, and dark as it thrusts the reader into the mind of protagonist, Sebastian, as he experiences a psychotic episode. As the story unfolds, it is revealed that he is struggling to navigate life after a mental breakdown that’s left him yearning to find his “bio mum” who walked out on him as a child. The novel also follows the story of Olivia, a radio producer facing challenges and complications in her personal life. Together, the interwoven stories form an interesting and gripping tale, with many characters and shifting perspectives to follow, helping to form ideas about perception, luck, abusive families and language. It sounds complicated, but it’s tidily put together and is an incredibly well written social commentary, carried by the dark wit of Edward St Aubyn, author of the incredibly successful Patrick Melrose novels; it’s a brilliant and entertaining story.

Non-fiction

Come What May by Lucy Easthope is published in hardback by Hodder Press

Emergency planning expert Lucy Easthope shares valuable insight, advice and guidance for making it through life’s toughest challenges, with advice on how we can react with resilience. Most of us will experience loss, serious illness or redundancy amongst other trials as we navigate through life – two of which I’m currently in the midst of myself – while others may be a flood or fire survivor, trying to process it all. Would you be ready to grab five essential items from your home if you had just 10 minutes to flee? Easthope uses personal trauma and professional experience to explain how she prepares for setbacks, sharing words of wisdom and a Disaster Recovery Graph to aid people in the darkest of times, as well as listing survivance (a mix of survival and resistance, a term first used in Native American studies) as a key tool, alongside hope for an eventual rebuild. Easthope uses clear, precise language and includes helpful survival tips at the end of each chapter.

Children’s book of the week

The Big Book of Useless Science Knowledge by Neon Squid is published in hardback by Neon Squid

There are lots of scientific fact books for kids, but none are quite like this. The Big Book of Useless Science Knowledge teaches children all the things they won’t learn at school – from interesting poo facts to what makes some flowers stinky. Did you know that much of the white sand on beaches is actually parrotfish poo? That some mushrooms glow in the dark and you can play a musical instrument during brain surgery? Thought not. Split into different chapters such as nature, space, technology and the human body, eager young readers can delve into their favourite topics. It’s also an interesting read for adults – find out, for example, why onions make you cry and how scientists are trying to create the perfect nappy. The book is beautifully presented throughout with colourful illustrations, and there is a helpful glossary for tricky words. This is definitely one that would make a perfect gift for curious minds.